The trucking industry has some of the highest workers’ compensation claim rates and costs in Washington State. Claims are so high that they have an initiative for preventing on the job injury and promoting safety, called the TIRES Initiative.
Th e TIRES research team is working with industry leaders, safety and health professionals, employers, drivers, warehouse and dock workers, and many others to develop educational materials that identify hazards, promote safety, and provide low-cost, simple solutions to prevent injuries in the trucking industry.
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Types of Workers Comp Injuries
Truck drivers have a disproportionate number of musculoskeletal injuries compared to workers in other workforces.
Due to the nature of their work, involving many hours of sitting, followed by brief periods of strenuous labor, loading/unloading the truck, drivers are more prone to injury than those in other occupations.
Unfortunately, many truck drivers fit the stereotype of overweight men who get little physical exercise and are in poor overall condition.
Most drivers are paid by the mile, therefore, their working hours vary, resulting in constantly changing schedules and irregular sleep habits.
These poor lifestyle habits directly impact the period of time the employee remains off work following an on-the-job injury.
The most common situations where injuries occur include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Carpal tunnel injury
- Strained wrists from opening hard to open containers
- Strains and back injuries from lifting and moving items or releasing 5th wheel to remove tractor from trailer
- Slip and falls climbing in or out of the cap or trailer
- Accidents while loading or unloading trailer
- Slip and falls on docks
- Crush injuries where part of load falls on driver
Source: reduceyourworkerscomp.com
Equip operators with the proper tools needed and promote safety to help them avoid injury.
The OPNBar tool, for instance, can help avoid some injuries by providing an ergonomic means of opening shipping containers, checking for low-pressure tires, and aiding operators in releasing the tractor from the trailer. Please be sure to read OPNBar Extended Instructions & Precautions Safer Grip by OPNBar™️ are ideal work gloves for all-day use for light manufacturing, warehouse operators, and for use in maintenance areas. Safer Grip gloves by OPNBar are ideal multi-purpose work gloves for various applications like trucking and delivery, warehouses, maintenance areas, light manufacturing, and carpentry. They are also great for gardening, and various outdoor activities that require grip in wet conditions, like boating, fishing, hiking, and biking, and can help protect hands while providing extra grip when handling tools and materials.
Did you know that trucking, cargo and insurance companies lose billions a year due to operator injury?
Did you know 50% of all trucking injuries are sprains/strains? Check out our infographic on workplace injuries, costs and causes:
Citations
This article discusses the high rates of workers’ compensation claims within the trucking industry. This observation aligns with data from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), which identifies trucking as a high-risk industry due to factors such as long driving hours, loading and unloading cargo, and exposure to hazardous conditions. These elements contribute to elevated workers’ compensation claim rates among truck drivers.
Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) highlights that truck drivers experience a high incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, which significantly contribute to workers’ compensation claims. These injuries often result from repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, and manual handling of cargo.
Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the transportation and warehousing sector, which includes trucking, has one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, further contributing to increased workers’ compensation claims.
These findings underscore the importance of implementing comprehensive safety and health programs within the trucking industry to mitigate risks and reduce the frequency of workers’ compensation claims.